Frank
Lampard has promised Olivier Giroud will get more game time at Chelsea as he
bids to keep hold of the striker in the January transfer window.
Giroud's majestic injury-time header, having come off the bench, booked
Chelsea's place in the knockout stages of the Champions League as they beat
Rennes 2-1 on Tuesday.
The Frenchman has struggled to break into Lampard's starting XI with Tammy
Abraham scoring in three consecutive games ahead of the trip to France.
Giroud says he will make a decision on his Chelsea future in the January
transfer window amid concerns over a lack of game time - but boss Lampard
has reiterated his stance, in that he wants the striker to stay.
The Blues head coach has insisted Giroud is part of his plans after the
striker said this week his lack of minutes is "concerning", especially as he
battles for a place in France's squad for the upcoming European
Championships.
"I have a problem because I've got Tammy who is playing well and obviously
he did last year as well," Lampard told BT Sport.
"Oli who always contributes in that way with that professionalism. I have
two players in a similar position fighting for a place.
"That's a good problem. Oli will get his minutes because we have a busy
schedule we play every few days. I made a few changes today because I felt
he had to to get the freshness in the team.
"I think the reason you see such a reaction around the goal, not only was it
in the last minute but someone like Oli you see how he acts day in day out
and it shows you what he means to this team."
Giroud's winning goal in Rennes was his 12th in European competitions for
Chelsea - no player has scored more for the club in Europe since he joined
the club from Arsenal.
Lampard couldn't hide his delight at the Frenchman getting the all-important
winning goal.
He added: "And the things behind the scenes, everybody kind of feels from
the outside what a great professional he is and how highly-regarded he is by
his team-mates and myself.
"So for him to get a goal, you saw the reaction of his team-mates, he's so
professional in how he trains and looks after himself that age isn't even a
factor for him.
"He's getting better with age if anything in terms of how he looks after
himself.
"So he offers a lot for us and I keep saying it but the big schedule coming
up and the way we play means I will rely on players.
"So thankfully for me he's a player that always keeps the right attitude if
he's not playing regularly, and I know when I call upon him that he comes in
as he did today."
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